By Temwa Teresa Mhango
The Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), officially gathered for the 20th Plenary Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda from 30th July to 4th August 2025.
According to one of the presentations at the plenary by Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Cape Coast Ghana, the plenary aimed to confirm why the continental association of Bishops exists and to familiarize the newly installed and younger bishops with SECAM.
The event brought together over 250 Catholic Bishops representing various episcopal conferences across Africa including Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu who represented the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB).
Speaking in an interview upon arrival from SECAM Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda applauded the plenary as they discussed many issues concerning the Catholic church in Africa, more especially on the situation of war in Sudan, DRC, Mozambique and other countries which is destructing peace in the continent. Bishop Nyirenda then encouraged Christians to avoid fighting but loving one another and exercise dialogue to maintain peace and bring hope in this Jubilee of hope.
“We are encouraging each other in Africa to exercise peace, we should not be divided on small issues even if its grave issues coming up, the only way to cultivate peace is through dialogue, talk, and resolve than fighting and killing each other” said Bishop Nyirenda.
The 20th SECAM Plenary Assembly was held under the theme; ‘Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation, and Peace’’ which deeply reflected that in countries fractured by wars, poverty, forced displacements, and ecological crises, the church turn the gaze to Christ, who is the living source of healing and renewal. It is Jesus who walks with Africa in its wounds, who reconciles divided hearts, and who offers hope where despair threatens. As disciples, Christians are called to become artisans of peace, prophets of hope, and instruments of reconciliation. This is not only a theological conviction but a pastoral urgency. The Church in Africa must be a sign and sacrament of unity, justice, and lasting peace.”
The assembly concluded with the establishment of 12 vision pillars for the church to focus on namely : Evangelization (Catholic Education and theological tradition),A self-reliant Church, Family model of leadership, Formation on missionary discipleship and synodality, Care of creation, The youth and the renewal of the Church, Justice, Peace and Integral human development, Ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, Mission in the digital environment, the health of the people of God, Liturgical life of the African Church and Church and politics.